STATE  OF  PARA,  BRAZIL 


I^WS  FOR  THE 
Protection  of  the  Rubber  Industry 

AND  FOR 

Encouraging  the  Cultivation  of  other  Plants 
of  Industrial  or  Economical  Utility,  and 
for  the  Establishment  of  Mills  for 
Purifying  Crude  Rubber 

DECREES  OF  THE  STATE  OF  PARA 

No.  1 1 09,  Dated  November  6th,  1 909 
No.  1179,  Dated  May  17th,  1911 
No.  1214,  Dated  November  4th,  1911 
No.  1219,  Dated  November  4th,  1911 
No.  1238,  Dated  November  6th,  1911 

AND 

DECREE  OF  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERN- 
MENT OF  BRAZIL 
No.  2543 A,  Dated  January  5th,  1912 


ISSUED  BY 

THE  COMMERCIAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PARA 


New  York,  September  23,  f912 


STATE  OF  PARA,  BRAZIL 

LAWS  FOR  THE 
Protection  of  the  Rubber  Industry 

AND  FOR 

Encouraging  the  Cultivation  of  other  Plants 
of  Industrial  or  Economical  Utility,  and 
for  the  Establishment  of  Mills  for 
Purifying  Crude  Rubber 

DECREES  OF  THE  STATE  OF  PARA 

No.  1 1 09,  Dated  November  6th,  1 909 
No.  1179,  Dated  May  17th,  1911 
No.  1214,  Dated  November  4th,  1911 
No.  1219,  Dated  November  4th,  1911 
No.  1 238,  Dated  November  6th,  1911 

AND 

DECREE  OF  THE  FEDERAL  GOVERN- 
MENT OF  BRAZIL 
No.  2543 A,  Dated  January  5th,  1912 


ISSUED  BY 

THE  COMMERCIAL  ASSOCIATION  OF  PARA 


New  York,  September  23,  1912 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/lawsforprotectioOOpara 


Distributed  by  the 
PAN  AMERICAN  UNION 
Washington,  D.  C.,  U.S.A. 

JOHN  BARRETT,  Director  General. 
Francisco  J.  Yanes,  Ass’t  Director. 

THE  PAN  AMERICAN  UNION  is  the  international 

ORGANIZATION  AND  OFFICE  MAINTAINED  BY  THE 
TWENTY-ONE  AMERICAN  REPUBLICS,  CONTROLLED 

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tary OF  State  of  the  United  States  and  the 
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A Director  General  and  Assistant  Director 
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AMONG  ALL  THE  AMERICAN  REPUBLICS. 

SPECIAL  NOTE;  While  the  utmost  care  is  ex- 
ercised BY  THE  Pan  American  Union  in  the 
COMPILATION  of  THE  BOOKS,  PAMPHLETS,  AND  RE- 
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BUTED BY  IT  AT  THE  REQUEST  OF  THE  VARIOUS 

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TION NOR  ITS  OFFICIALS  CAN  BE  HELD  RESPON- 
SIBLE FOR  INACCURACIES  WHICH  MAY  APPEAR 
THEREIN. 


3 


Resume  of  Legislation  for  the  protection  of  Policulture 
of  rubber,  and  other  plants  of  economical  utility  of  the  State 
of  Para. 

The  Legislative  Congress  of  the  State,  under  the  adminis- 
tration of  his  Excellency  Dr.  Joao  Antonio  Luiz  Coelho,  has 
decreed  the  following  laws  for  the  protection  of  the  cultivation 
of  the  rubber  tree  (Hevea  Br-aziliensis)  and  other  plants  of 
economical  utility ; 

Law  No.  1,109  dated  6th  November,  1909,  grants  prizes 
and  concessions  to  growers  in  the  State,  who,  either  them- 
selves, or  companies  they  might  organize,  grow  rubber  and 
cocoa  trees.  This  law  has  brought  about  the  actual  initiative 
of  cultivators,  there  being  already  inscribed  80  candidates  for 
the  prizes,  and  other  concessions  granted  by  it,  with  the  object 
to  plant  eight  million  three  hundred  and  sixty  thousand  rubber 
trees,  and  two  million  five  hundred  and  thirty-two  thousand 
nine  hundred  cocoa  trees. 

Law  No.  1,214  dated  4th  November,  1911,  authorizes  the 
Governor  of  the  State  to  contract  with  one,  or  more  companies, 
whether  National  or  Foreign,  the  plantation  of  rubber  trees 
(Hevea  Braziliensis),  by  means  of  several  concessions,  notably 
the  concession  of  State  lands  up  to  two  hundred  thousand 
hectares,  and  the  reduction  on  the  export  duties. 

The  Companies  Societe  Agricole  du  Para,  and  the  Syndi- 
cate Franc-Bresilien  have  already  contracted  the  culture  of  the 
Hevea  Braziliensis,  and  are  beginning  their  work. 

The  Companies  which  hold  the  concessions  under  this 
law,  according  to  Article  No.  2,  principally  are  obliged  to  plant 
not  less  than  fifty  thousand  rubber  trees,  during  the  first  five 
years,  to  count  from  the  date  of  the  signing  of  the  Contract, 
and  twenty  thousand  each  year  after  this  lapse  of  time,  as  far 
as  the  land  granted  allow  them  to  do  so. 

Law  No.  1,219  dated  4th  November,  1911,  grants  conces- 
sions to  each  one  of  the  six  establishments  which  are  main- 
tained in  the  agricultural  centres  of  the  State,  for  the  mechan- 
ical preparation  and  treatment  of  rice,  corn,  beans,  cotton,  and 
other  products  of  the  agricultural  industry. 


4 


Law  No.  1.238  dated  6th  November,  1911,  authorizes  the 
Governor  of  the  State  to  grant  concessions  of  State  lands,  in 
the  zone  of  the  Brazilian  Guyana,  belonging  to  the  State  of 
Para,  granting  the  advantage  of  free  acquisition  to  those  who 
undertake  to  divide  the  land  into  lots  proper  for  the  Pastoral 
and  Agricultural  Industry,  without  cost  to  the  State,  up  to  one 
hundred  thousand  hectares. 

Federal  Law  No.  2543A  dated  5th  January,  1912,  estab- 
lishes measures  with  the  object  to  facilitate  and  disenvolve  the 
cultivation  of  rubber,  Caucho,  Manitoba,  and  Mangabeira,  and 
the  gathering  and  preparation  of  the  rubber  extracted  from 
these  trees,  and  authorizes  the  Executive  Power  not  only  to 
open  the  necessary  credits  for  the  execution  of  such  measures, 
but  also  to  execute  such  operations  of  credits  which  might  be 
necessary. 


5 


Decree  No.  1109,  dated  6th  November  1909 

Granting  premiums  and  advantages  to  agriculturalists 

OF  THE  State. 

The  Legislative  Congress  of  the  State  of  Para  decreed 
and  I ratify  the  following  law : 

Article  1.  — To  agriculturalists  of  the  State  who  alone, 
or  by  associations  which  they  may  organize,  complying  with 
the  conditions  of  the  present  law,  the  following  premiums  will 
be  allowed,  to  be  paid  by  the  Financial  Secretary  of  the  State : 
(1)  Of  five  hundred  milreis*,  for  each  lot  of  five  hundred 
rubber  trees,  well  planted;  (2)  Of  one  hundred  and  fifty  mil- 
reis, for  each  lot  of  five  hundred  well  planted  cocoa  trees. 

Art.  2.  — In  order  to  enjoy  the  rights  to  the  premiums 
established  by  the  present  law,  the  agriculturalists  or  associa- 
tions must,  in  their  plantations,  follow  and  execute  the  rules 
prescribed  by  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  State,  to 
whom  they  will  have  to  communicate  when  they  commence 
planting. 

Art.  3.  — The  premiums  will  be  paid  by  instalments  as 
follows : 

o)  For  plantations  of  rubber  trees,  the  premium  will  be 
divided  into  four  equal  contributions  which  will  be  paid,  as 
follows : The  1st  at  the  end  of  the  first  year  after  the  con- 
clusion of  the  planting ; the  2d  at  the  end  of  the  second  year ; 
the  3d  at  the  end  of  the  third  year;  the  4th  at  the  end  of  the 
fourth  year. 

Art.  4.  — ■ Before  the  payment  of  each  instalment  of  the 
preceding  premiums  an  employee  of  the  Agricultural  Depart- 
ment, duly  appointed  by  the  Government,  will  verify  the  num- 
ber of  plants  and  their  age  and  he  will  draw  up  a bond  which 
must  be  signed  by  him,  by  the  owner  of  the  plantations  and 
two  witnesses  who  should  be,  whenever  possible,  two  neigh- 
bouring agriculturalists. 

* Milreis  = about  16  pence,  say  32c. 


6 


§ unique.  If,  at  the  time  of  verification  of  one  of  the  lots 
of  plants  to  be  awarded,  they  verify  at  request  of  the  planter 
that  there  are  further  new  plantations,  forming  new  lots,  same 
will  be  noted  separately  by  another  bond,  for  the  concession 
of  a new  premium,  which  will  only  be  conceded  on  the  stated 
periods  established  by  this  law. 

Art.  5.  — If  the  verified  plantations  should  not  have  Deen 
made  according  to  the  instructions  given  by  the  Agricultural 
Department  of  the  State,  or  if  they  are  not  in  a healthy  condi- 
tion, under  protest  of  the  examiner  or  others  the  Government 
may  refuse  to  pay  the  premium. 

§ unique.  In  this  case  the  planter  claiming  the  premium, 
will  have  the  right  to  ask  the  Government  to  nominate  a com- 
mission of  three  professional  men  to  judge  the  justice  or  injus- 
tice of  the  protest. 

Art.  6.  — If  at  the  time  of  any  subsequent  verificatioti 
made  after  the  payment  of  the  first  instalment  of  a premium, 
they  note  that  the  number  of  plants  formerly  verified  do  not 
exist,  the  payment  of  the  other  contributions  of  the  premium 
will  be  suspended  until  the  number  of  plants  be  completed. 

Art.  7.  — To  every  agriculturalist  or  association  which 
will  inform  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  State  that 
they  are  prepared  to  start  planting,  according  to  this  decree, 
the  following  advantages  will  be  conceded : 

a)  A gratuitous  annual  distribution  of  five  hundred  kilos 
of  chemical  manure  during  four  consecutive  years; 

b)  A gratuitous  delivery  of  seeds,  plants,  instructions 
and  pamphlets ; 

c)  Gratuitous  instructions  about  tilling,  planting,  &c. ; 

d)  Gratuitous  transportation  by  the  Estrada  de  Ferro  de 
Braganga  (Braganga  railway,  — belonging  to  the  State)  and 
all  navigation  lines  subventioned  by  the  State,  for  all  ma- 
chinery, material,  plants,  seeds,  fertilizing  manure,  animals  for 
transport  work  as  well  as  for  breeding  purposes. 


7 


Art.  8.  — • The  owner  of  plantations,  made  according  to 
this  law,  will  furthermore  enjoy  the  following  advantages: 

a)  For  rubber:  the  reduction  of  export  duties  on  the 
rubber  produced,  viz. : of  50%  for  the  first  ten  years  of  pro- 
duction, and,  of  30%  for  the  following  twenty  years,  and  a 
reduction  of  30%  on  the  tariff  of  freights  by  the  Estrada  de 
Ferro  de  Braganga  and  all  navigation  lines  that  are  subven- 
tioned  by  the  State. 

b)  For  cocoa;  a reduction  of  30%  on  the  export  duties 
for  20  years  to  count  from  date  of  first  crop  and  a similar 
reduction  on  the  freight  tariff  of  the  Estrada  de  Ferro  de 
Braganga  and  all  navigation  lines  that  are  subventioned  by  the 
State. 

Art.  9.  — In  order  to  enjoy  the  privileges  conceded  by  the 
preceding  article,  the  producers  must  use  on  the  bags,  cases 
and  other  packages  in  which  they  may  pack  their  produce,  a 
distinct  mark  which  must  be  duly  registered  in  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  (Junta  Commercial). 

Art.  10.  — To  agriculturalists  or  associations  who  request 
it,  (to  be  utilized  as  plantations  as  indicated  in  this  law),  lots 
of  land,  not  exceeding  100  hectares  in  all,  will  be  sold  at  a 
reduction  of  50%  from  usual  legal  prices. 

§ 1.  — The  sale  will  be  made  good  by  means  of  a defini- 
tive deed  when  it  is  proved  that  in  the  same  lands  there  exist 
plantations  that  have  a right  to  premiums  superior  to  the  cost 
price  of  the  lands. 

§ 2.  — If  after  three  years,  it  be  proved  that  the  clause  of 
the  preceding  paragraph  is  not  complied  with  the  sale  will  be 
considered  void,  all  the  lands  reverting  to  the  State’s  dominion 
with  the  improvements  existing  thereon,  without  the  right  of 
indemnisation  or  restitution  of  the  amount  paid  for  them. 

Art.  11.  — The  Government  will  decree,  as  a fixed  rule 
to  this  law,  all  necessary  steps  it  may  think  fit,  for  its  good 
execution  and  will  open  the  necessary  credits  for  the  payment 
of  the  premiums  instituted. 


8 


Art.  12.  — All  legal  dispositions  in  opposition  to  this  law 
are  hereby  revoked. 

The  State’s  Secretary  of  Public  Works,  Lands  and  Roads 
will  see  to  the  execution  of  the  present  law. 

Government  Palace,  of  the  State  of  Para, 
the  6th  November,  1909,  twenty-first 
year  of  the  Republic. 

Signed : 

JoAo  Antonio  Luiz  Coelho. 
Innocencio  Hollanda  de  Lima. 


9 


Decree  No.  1179,  dated  17th  May  1911 

Authorizing  the  concession  of  advantages  for  a time  not 

EXCEEDING  15  YEARS,  TO  PERSONS  OR  COMPANIES  THAT  MAY 

TAKE  UPON  THEMSELVES  THE  ONUS  OF  ESTABLISHING  IN 

THIS  CAPITAL  MANUFACTORIES  FOR  THE  PURIFYING  OF 

INDIA-RUBBER ; AND  PROVIDING  FOR  , OTHER  NECESSARY 

RULES  RELATING  THERTO. 

The  Legislative  Congress  of  the  State  of  Para  has  decreed 
and  I ratify  the  following  law : 

Article  1.  — The  Executive  Power  is  hereby  authorized 
to  grant  the  advantages  which  they  may  consider  necessary, 
including  the  exemption  of  taxes  or  duties  (except  those  of 
exportation),  for  a time  not  exceeding  fifteen  years,  to  all  per- 
sons or  companies  which  may  assume  the  compromise  of  estab- 
lishing, in  this  capital,  manufactories  for  the  purification  of 
rubber,  in  order  to  permit  the  exportation  of  a single  uniform 
type  of  first  quality. 

Art.  2.  — The  chemical  procesess  employed  in  the  purifica- 
tion and  in  the  antiseptic  preservation  of  the  produce  must  in 
no  manner  damage  it  chemically  or  physically,  and  must  not  in 
the  least  prejudice  its  industrial  value. 

Art.  3.  — The  Executive  Power  when  making  the  conces- 
sions, will  determine  the  conditions  of  same,  the  terms,  rights 
and  liabilities  of  the  concessionaires  and  will  fix  the  amount 
they  will  have  to  pay  for  fiscalizing  on  the  part  of  the  Gov- 
ernment. 

Art.  4.  — As  soon  as  the  purification  factories  will  be  in 
operation,  the  Executive.  Power  will  make  uniform  the  rates 
that  are  now  collected  on  rubber  exported,  so  that  the  inter- 
mediate and  lower  grades  may  disappear  for  the  benefit  of  the 
collecting  of  duties. 

Art.  5.  — If  the  amount  of  the  duties  on  rubber  thus 
uniformed  exceeds  in  an  appreciable  manner,  during  the  first 
six  months,  the  amount  collected  during  the  same  period  of  the 


10 


past  year,  the  Executive  Power  will  send  to  Congress  at  its 
first  meeting  the  necessary  information  which  will  allow  them 
to  reduce  the  rates  of  taxes. 

Art.  6.  — Every  legal  disposition  in  opposition  to  this  law 
is  hereby  revoked. 

The  State’s  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Public  Works, 
Lands  and  Roads,  will  provide  that  said  law  be  carried  out. 

Government  Palace  of  the  State  of  Para, 
the  17th  May  of  1911,  twenty-third  year 
of  the  Republic. 

Signed ; 

JoAO  Antonio  Luiz  Coelho. 

Innocencio  Hollanda  de  Lima. 


11 


Decree  No.  1214,  dated  4th  November  1911 

Authorizing  to  contract  with  one  or  more  national  or 

FOREIGN  COMPANIES,  THE  PLANTATION  AND  THE  EXPLORA- 
TION OF  THE  RUBBER  TREE. 

The  Legislative  Congress  of  the  State  of  Para  has  decreed 
and  I ratify  the  following  law: 

Article  1.  — The  State  Governor  is  hereby  authorized  to 
contract  with  one  or  several  national  or  foreign  companies  the 
planting  and  exploration  of  rubber  trees  {Hevea  hraziliensis) 
by  conceding  the  following  advantages : 

a)  The  concession  of  vacant  lands  up  to  200,000  hec- 
tares* duly  marked  out,  in  due  legal  form,  in  conformity  with 
the  public  land-laws,  for  the  planting  and  exploration  service 
of  the  company; 

b)  Reduction  of  State’s  export  duties  on  cultivated  rub- 
ber produced,  viz. : 

( 1 ) — 50%  during  the  first  ten  years  to  count  from  the 
date  of  the  first  exportation, 

(2)  — 40%  during  the  next  ten  other  years, 

(3)  — 30%  between  the  20th  and  the  30th  year  of  ex- 
portation, 

(4)  — 20%  from  the  30th  to  the  40th  year, 

(5)  — 10%  from  the  40th  to  the  50th  year. 

c)  Reduction  of  tariff  on  the  State’s  railways  and  on 
the  freight  tariff  of  steamers  which  are  subventioned  or  enjoy 
other  Government  favors,  for  all  cultivated  rubber  produced 
by  the  company  viz : 

(1)  Of  30%  during  the  first  20  years. 

(2)  Of  20%  up  to  the  30th  year. 

(3)  Of  15%  from  the  30th  to  the  40th  year. 

(4)  Of  10%  from  the  40th  to  the  50th  year. 

* hectare  = 2.47  acres. 


12 


d)  If  the  company  also  cultivates  cocoa,  nuts  and  other 
products  of  economical  value,  the  company  will  enjoy  the  same 
advantages  mentioned  under  b and  c. 

e)  Exemption  of  State’s  business  taxation  for  ten  years 
for  the  factories  of  mechanical  improving  of  goods  of  its  pro- 
duction. 

§ unique.  The  Governor  will  provide  equal  advantages 
to  the  different  municipalities. 

Art.  2.  — In  exchange  for  these  advantages  the  company 
engages  itself  to : 

( 1 ) Plant  at  least  50,000  rubber  trees  during  the  first  five 
years  of  the  concession,  to  count  from  the  date  of  the  signing 
of  the  contract  and,  20,000  every  year  after  this  term,  so  long 
as  the  expansion  of  land  will  allow. 

(2)  To  register  its  firm  in  the  Agricultural  Department 
of  the  State,  where  a copy  of  the  contract  must  be  deposited. 

(3)  To  carry  out  in  its  planting  the  instructions  laid 
down  by  the  board  of  Agriculture. 

(4)  To  furnish  a statistical  note  of  number  of  trees 

planted,  their  state  and  the  production  in  general  of  rubber 
and  other  products.  

(5)  To  employ  on  the  bags,  cases  and  other  packages  of 
goods  of  its  production  a mark  which  must  be  duly  registered 
m the  Chamber  of  Commerce  (Junta  Commercial)  according 
to  law. 

(6) To  allow  the  Government  to  fiscalize  over  all  the 
company’s  services. 

Art.  3.  — The  concession  of  vacant  lands  will  be  made  by 
provisory  right  title  delivered  at  the  time  of  demarcation,  and 
which  will  be  substituted  by  a definitive  title  as  soon  as  the 
company  will  have  made  the  plantations  according  to  clause 
No.  1 of  Art.  2. 


13 


Art.  4. — The  concessions  made  according  to  this  decree 
will  be  considered  as  falling  of  itself,  for  all  effects,  reverting 
to  the  State  all  lands,  improvements  made  thereon,  without  any 
indemnisation  on  the  part  of  the  State  if,  after  five  years  from 
the  date  of  signing  of  the  contract  the  company  has  not  planted 
at  least  50,000  rubber  trees  in  a healthy  state  and  complied  with 
all  the  conditions  of  this  decree  unless  under  unforseen  circum- 
stances as  the  Government  may  think  fit. 

Art.  5.  — The  State  Government  will  endeavor  to  obtain 
from  the  Federal  Government,  for  the  concessionaires,  the  ex- 
emption of  custom  house  import  duties  for  all  machinery,  etc., 
and  other  things  that  will  be  necessary  for  the  preparing  and 
culture  of  the  ground. 

Art.  6. — 'The  advantages  under  Art.  1 (b  and  c)  will 
also  be  granted  to  agriculturalists  to  which  the  decree  N°  1,109 
of  the  6th  of  November  refers  to,  being  in  consequence  annulled 
Art.  8,  letters  a and  b of  same  decree. 

Art.  7 . — The  concessions  made  to  the  following  are  ap- 
proved, to  the  — Societe  Agricole  du  Para  — and  — Sindicat 
Franc-Brezilien — represented  by  the  Baron  Ferdinand  Pas- 
quier,  and  Carlos  MIeisel,  according  to  the  contacts  of  the  6th 
of  May  and  16th  of  August  of  the  current  year,  registered  in 
the  State’s  Financial  Offices. 

Art.  8.  — ■ The  decree  N®  1,100  of  5th  November  of  1909  is 
herewith  cancelled  as  well  as  all  legal  dispositions  in  opposition 
to  this  decree. 

The  State’s  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Public  Works, 
Lands  and  Roads  will  see  to  the  execution  of  this  law. 

Government  Palace  of  the  State  of  Para, 
the  Ath  of  November  of  1911,  twenty- 
third  year  of  the  Republic. 

Signed : 

Jo.\o  Antonio  Luiz  Coelho, 
Innocencio  Hollanda  de  Lima. 


14 


Decree  No.  1219,  dated  4th  November  1911 

Granting  advantages  to  each  of  the  six  establishments 

THAT  MAY  BE  MAINTAINED  IN  THE  AGRICULTURAL  CENTRES 

OF  THE  STATE  FOR  THE  IMPROVEMENT  OF  RICE,  MAZE, 

BEANS  AND  COTTON. 

The  Legislative  Congress  of  the  State  of  Para  has  decreed 
and  I ratify  the  following  law: 

Article  1.  — To  each  of  the  six  establishments  that  may 
after  the  date  of  the  present  law  organize  in  the  agricultural 
centres  of  the  State,  wherever  the  Government  may  choose,  for 
mechanical  bettering  of  rice,  maze,  beans  or  cotton,  the  follow- 
ing advantages  will  be  granted : 

a)  An  annual  subvention  of  two  contos  de  reis*  for  four 
years,  counting  from  the  definite  inauguration  of  same. 

b)  Exemption  of  all  State  taxes  for  ten  years. 

c)  Gratuitous  transport  by  the  Estrada  de  Ferro  de 
Braganca  (railway  to  Braganga)  or  any  other  State  railway  or 
by  vessels  or  steamers  which  receive  benefits  from  the  State, 
for  all  machinery,  materials,  plants,  seeds,  manure  and  first 
class  breeding  animals  of  any  description. 

d)  A reduction  of  20%  on  freights  on  the  tariff  of  the 
Extrada,  de  Ferro  de  Braganga  and  other  lines  of  the  State  or 
steamers  subventioned  or  assisted  by  the  State  Government 
for  the  cultivated  produce. 

c)  Exemption  of  the  State  export  duties  on  the  produce 
of  the  factories  for  ten  years. 

f)  A gratuitous  distribution  of  seeds,  plants,  instructions 
and  pamphlets. 

Art.  2.  — To  all  other  factories  for  the  bettering  of  rice, 
maize,  beans  and  cotton  and  those  of  dairy  products  already 
established  or  to  be  established  in  the  future  the  advantages 
under  Art.  1,  letters  b,  c,  d,  e and  /,  will  be  granted. 

* 1 conto  de  reis  = say  $332. 


15 


Art.  3.  — To  the  factories  for  bettering,  by  mechanical 
process,  tobacco,  cocoa,  mandioca,  textile  plants  the  extraction 
of  animal  and  vegetable  oils,  flesh,  fruits,  preserved  fish  and 
preparing  of  leather,  the  advantages  under  Art.  1,  letters  b,  c, 
d,  e and  f,  will  be  granted,  as  also  the  reduction  of  30%  of  the 
State’s  export  duties. 

Art.  4.  — To  the  refrigerating  concerns  that  may  be  or- 
ganized in  the  State  for  providing  the  population  and  export 
fresh  meat,  fresh  fish,  fruits,  dairy  products,  vegetables,  eggs, 
game  and  flowers  of  national  production,  it  will  be  granted  for 
twenty  years  the  exemption  of  State’s  duties. 

§ unique.  The  Governor  of  the  State  will  make  an 
agreement  with  the  municipal  districts  of  the  State  in  order 
that  they  grant  exemption  of  duties  to  the  said  factories,  ac- 
cording to  Art.  1,  2,  3 and  4. 

Art.  5.  — The  factories  which  Art.  1,  2,  3 and  4 refer 
to,  if  they  want  to  enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  present  decree,, 
must  comply  with  the  following  conditions : 

(1)  Have  their  firm  or  name  registered  in  the  State’s. 
Agricultural  Department. 

(2)  Employ  for  cases,  bags,  baskets  in  which  they  may 
pack  their  produce,  a mark  that  must  be  duly  registered  in 
the  Chamber  of  Commerce  (Junta  Commercial). 

(3)  Help  the  State  in  the  distribution  of  seeds  from 
their  establishments  to  the  agriculturalists  in  their  neighbor- 
hood. 

(4)  Admit  at  their  expenses  in  the  service  of  the  fac- 
tories at  least  five  young  boys,  orphans  or  poor,  in  order  to 
give  them  a professional  education. 

(5)  Observe  and  follow  the  instructions  or  orders  of 
the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  State. 

(6)  Deliver  to  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  State 
an  exact  annual  statistical  note  showing  the  production  of  the 
establishment,  the  number  of  workmen  employed  and  their 
respective  salaries. 


16 


(7)  Give  to  the  Agricultural  Department  of  the  State 
any  useful  information  which  they  may  require. 

Art.  6.  — The  State  Governor  is  hereby  authorized  to 
make  an  agreement  with  all  owners  of  steamers  in  the  State 
who  have  navigation  lines  in  the  rivers  of  its  territory,  whether 
they  receive  a government  subsidy  or  not,  to  obtain  a reduction 
or  exemption  of  freight  for  agricultural  products  in  general, 
machinery,  plants,  seeds,  manure  and  the  products  of  the  fac- 
tories included  in  this  law. 

The  Governor  will  concede  for  an  indefinite  time  a reduc- 
tion or  exemption  of  State’s  duties  and  other  advantages  he 
may  consider  convenient  by  means  of  a contract  to  all  owners 
or  charterers  of  steamers  which  consent  to  make  the  conces- 
sion mentioned  in  this  article. 

Art.  7.  — All  legal  dispositions  in  opposition  to  this 
decree  are  hereby  revoked. 

The  State’s  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Public  Works, 
Lands  and  Roads  will  see  to  the  execution  of  this  law. 

Government  Palace  of  the  State  of  Para, 
the  4th  November  of  1911,  twenty- 
third  year  of  the  Republic. 

Signed : 

JoAo  Antonio  Luiz  Coelho, 
Innocencio  Hollanda  de  Lima. 


17 


Decree  No.  1238,  dated  6th  November  1911 

Authorizing  the  concession  of  vacant  lands  in  the  zone 

OF  THE  BRAZILIAN  GUYANA  AND  ORDERING  OTHER  DISPO- 
SITIONS. 

The  Legislative  Congress  of  the  State  has  decreed  and  I 
ratify  the  following  law : 

Article  1.  — The  State  Governor  is  hereby  authorized  to 
make  concessions  of  vacant  lands  in  the  zone  of  the  Brazilian 
Guyana,  belonging  to  the  State  of  Para,  granting  advantages 
of  gratuitous  acquisition  to  all  those  who  take  upon  themselves, 
without  onus  for  the  State,  to  divide  the  same  lands  into  appro- 
priated lots  for  agricultural  and  pastoral  industry  up  to  100,- 
000  hectares. 

Art.  2.  — The  land  concessions  will  always  be  effected 
with  the  obligation  of  improvement,  which  must  begin  within 
the  second  year  of  the  Government’s  act  granting  the  con- 
cession. 

Art.  3.  — The  Government  by  special  act  for  every  case 
will  determine  the  limits  of  each  concession  in  regard  to  its  ex- 
tension as  well  as  to  its  division. 

Art.  4.  — The  concessionaries  of  vacant  lands,  under  iden- 
tical conditions,  will  have  preference  for  the  opening  up  of 
communications,  such  as  roads,  highways,  economical  railways 
and  river  navigation  for  the  improvement  of  the  conceded  zone. 

Art.  5.  — The  concessions  for  the  roadways,  etc.,  will  be 
made  without  guarantee  of  interest  and  the  Government  will 
have  the  privilege  of  establishing  on  each  side  of  the  line  one 
or  more  lots  of  land  not  exceeding  one  kilometer*  in  width  by 
twenty  kilometers  in  length  and  keeping  same  for  the  dominion 
of  the  State. 

All  legal  dispositions  in  opposition  to  this  decree  are 
hereby  revoked. 

* 1 kilometer  — say  .62  miles. 


18 


The  State’s  Secretary  of  the  Department  of  Public  Works, 
Lands  and  Roads  will  see  to  the  execution  of  this  law. 

Government  Palace  of  the  State  of  Para, 
the  6th  November  of  1911,  twenty- 
third  year  of  the  Republic. 

Signed : 

JoAO  Antonio  Luiz  Coelho, 
Innocencio  Hollanda  de  Lima. 


19 


Decree  No.  2543 A,  dated  5th  January  1912 

Determining  measures  with  a view  of  facilitating  and 

DEVELOPING  THE  CULTURE  OF  RUBBER,  CAUCHO,  MANICOBA, 
AND  MANGABEIRA  TREES,  AS  WELL  AS  GATHERING  AND  IM- 
PROVING THE  RUBBER  EXTRACTED  FROM  THESE  TREES  AND 
AUTHORIZING  THE  EXECUTIVE  POWER,  NOT  ONLY  TO  OPEN 
THE  NECESSARY  CREDITS  REQUIRED  FOR  THE  EXECUTION  OF 
THE  ABOVE  MEASURES,  BUT  ALSO  TO  MAKE  THE  NECESSARY 
FINANCIAL  OPERATIONS  THAT  SAME  MAY  CALL  FOR. 

The  President  of  the  Republic  of  the  United  States  of 

Brazil  makes  it  known  that  the  National  Congress  has  decreed 
and  he  has  ratified  the  following  resolution ; 

Article  1.  — That  all  utensils  and  materials  for  the  culti- 
vation of  the  Seringueira  (Para  Rubber  Tree)  of  the  Caucho, 
of  the  Manicoba,  and  of  the  Mangabeira,  and  for  the  collec- 
tion and  manufacture  of  the  rubber  extracted  from  these  trees, 
are  declared  free  of  any  import  duties  whatever,  whether  to 
be  used  solely  in  the  extractive  industry  or  for  the  purpose  of 
cultivation. 

This  exemption  of  duties  will  be  requested  of  the  Custom 
Inspectors,  who  will  give  the  necessary  exemption,  after  duly 
verifying,  with  the  utmost  speed,  the  qualifications  and  re- 
sponsibility of  the  petitioners. 

Art.  2.  — That  premiums  be  instituted  in  favor  of  those 
who  make  proper  and  entirely  new  plantations  of  the 
Seringueira,  Caucho,  Manicoba  or  Mangabeira,  or  to  those 
who  replant  the  Seringaes  (wild  rubber  lands),  Cauchaes 
(wild  Caucho  lands),  Manicobaes  (wild  Manicoba  lands),  or 
Mangabaes  (wild  Manbageira  lands),  provided  the  land  be 
properly  utilized.  The  premiums  to  be  paid  under  the  follow- 
ing conditions ; 

o)  Per  group  of  12  hectares  of  new  cultivation  2,500 
milreis  as  to  the  Seringueira;  1,500  milreis  as  to  Caucho  or 
Manicoba,  and  900  milreis  as  to  Mangabeira. 


20 


h)  Per  group  of  25  hectares  of  replanted  Seringaes 
(wild  rubber  lands),  Cauchaes  (wild  Caucho  lands),  Manico- 
baes  (wild  Manicoba  lands),  or  Mangabaes  (wild  Mangabeira 
lands),  2,000  milreis  for  the  first,  1,000  milreis  for  the  second 
and  third,  and  720  milreis  for  the  fourth. 

1)  These  premiums  will  be  payable  one  year  before  the 
first  crop,  after  it  having  been  verified  that  the  land  has  been 
entirely  cultivated  and  the  trees  properly  treated. 

(2)  An  increase  of  5%  annually  on  the  value  of  the 
premiums  instituted  for  the  benefit  of  the  planters  of  Para 
rubber  will  be  conceded  to  those  who  prove  having  cultivated 
parallelly,  in  all  the  cultivated  land  of  their  property,  alimentary 
plants,  or  plants  of  industrial  utility. 

Art.  3. — The  Government  will  establish  at  a convenient 
point  an  experimental  station,  or  demonstrating  farm,  for  the 
cultivation  of  the  Seringueira  in  the  Acre  Territory,  in  each 
one  of  the  States  of  Mattogrosso,  Amazonas,  Para,  Maranhao, 
Piauhy,  and  Bahia,  and  for  the  cultivation  of  the  Manicoba, 
together  with  the  Mlangabeira,  in  the  States  of  Piauhy,  Ceara, 
Rio  Grande  do  Norte  or  Pernambuco,  Bahia,  Minas  Geraes, 
Sao  Paulo,  Goyaz,  Parana  and  Matto  Grosso. 

These  stations  will  furnish  gratuitously  to  all  those  in- 
terested who  may  ask  selected  seed,  instructions  as  to  the  most 
practical  and  economic  method  of  planting,  and  information  as 
to  the  general  results  achieved  and  verified  at  the  end  of  each 
year. 


Art.  4.  — In  addition  to  the  indirect  favors  treated  in 
Article  1,  and  of  those  which  further  may  seem  to  the  Gov- 
ernment reasonable  and  necessary,  the  Government  will  con- 
cede competitive  premiums  up  to  the  sum  of  400  contos  to  the 
first  factory  for  the  refining  of  Para  rubber,  which  will  reduce 
the  various  cpalities  to  one  uniform  and  superior  type  for  ex- 
portation, and  which  will  establish  itself  in  each  one  of  the 
cities  of  Para  and  Manaos ; and  up  to  the  sum  of  100  contos 
to  the  first  factory  for  the  refining  of  Manicoba  and  Manga- 
beira rubber,  for  the  same  purpose,  and  which  will  establish 


21 


itself  in  each  one  of  the  States  of  Piauhy,  Ceara,  Rio  Grande 
do  Norte,  Pernambuco,  Bahia,  Minas  Geraes  and  Sao  Paulo ; 
and  up  to  the  sum  of  500  contos  for  the  first  factory  for  the 
manufacture  of  rubber  goods,  which  will  establish  itself  in 
Manaos,  in  Para,  in  Recife,  in  Bahia  and  in  Rio  de  Janeiro. 

To  have  right  to  this  favor,  it  is  necessary  that  the  factory 
have  an  employed  capital  equal  to  four  times  the  value  of  the 
premium. 

Art.  5.  — The  Government  will  order  constructed  three 
Immigrant  Stations  of  sufficient  capacity  and  of  identical  or- 
ganization and  object  on  the  Island  of  Flores,  in  Para,  in 
Manaos,  and  at  an  appropriate  point  in  the  Acre,  and  at  places 
which  may  be  considered  most  necessary  in  the  Amazon  Val- 
ley, interior  hospitals,  surrounded  with  small  agricultural 
colonies,  and  in  which  may  be  received  the  sick  for  treatment, 
with  free  vacination  and  rriedicines  of  the  first  quality  offered 
for  sale,  as  well  as  the  broadcast  distribution  of  printed  pamph- 
lets containing  hygienic  advice  for  the  prevention  of  the  dis- 
eases of  the  region,  and  the  practical  treatment  to  apply  in  the 
absence  of  a physician. 

The  direction  and  cost  of  the  stations  will  belong  to  the 
Federal  Government ; the  hospitals,  however,  will  be  confided 
to  professionals  of  recognized  ability  with  a subsidy  and  other 
favors  which  the  Government  may  judge  reasonable,  and  obli- 
gations which  will  determine  proper  regulations. 

Art.  6.  — For  the  purpose  of  facilitating  transportation, 
and  diminishing  its  cost  in  the  Amazon  Valley,  the  Govern- 
ment will  order  executed,  with  the  least  possible  delay,  the 
following  improvements  and  complementary  measures : 

(1)  The  construction  of  small  standard  roads  along  the 
rivers  Xingu,  Tapajos  and  others  in  Para  and  Matto  Grosso, 
and  of  the  rivers  Negro  and  Branco  and  others  in  Amazonas, 
or  roads  penetrating  the  valleys  of  these  rivers.  Bids  for  con- 
struction will  be  by  public  competition,  according  to  Law  No. 
1,126  of  December  13,  1903,  or  for  a price  per  kilometer,  at 
the  Government’s  discretion,  according  to  the  difficulties  of  the 


22 


region.  In  case  the  States  of  Para,  Matto  Grosso  and 
Amazonas  have  contracted  for  the  construction  of  any  of 
these  roads,  the  Government  will  concede  a premium  of  15 
Contos  per  kilometer  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  the  road’s 
completion. 

(2)  The  construction  of  a railroad  from  a convenient 
point  on  the  Madeira-Mamore  Railroad,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  mouth  of  the  river  Abunan,  passing  through  the  Villa 
Rio  Branco,  and  at  a point  between  Senna  Madureira  and 
Catay,  and  terminating  at  the  Villa  Thaumaturgo  with  a' 
branch  to  the  Peruvian  Frontier  by  way  of  the  valley  of  the 
river  Purus. 

The  construction  of  this  railway  will  be  made  according 
to  the  dispositions  of  Decree  No.  1,126  of  December  13,  1903. 

As  soon  as  the  first  section  of  the  station  of  the  crossing 
point  at  Villa  Rio  Branco  be  inaugurated  the  Government  will 
establish  a Custom  House  at  Porto  Velho,  on  the  Madeira 
River,  and  will  declare  that  port  opened  commercially  to  all 
friendly  nations. 

(3)  The  construction  of  a railroad  from  the  port  of 
Para  and  uniting  itself  with  the  railroads  centering  at  Pira- 
pora.  State  of  Minas  Geraes,  and  at  Coroata,  State  of 
Maranhao,  with  the  necessary  branches  to  connect  the  initial  or 
terminating  points  of  navigation  of  the  rivers  Araguaya, 
Tocantins,  Parnahyba  and  Sao  Francisco. 

The  railway  will  be  constructed  according  to  the  dispo- 
sition of  the  Decree  No.  1,126  of  December  13,  1903,  and  will 
be  rented  by  means  of  public  competition. 

(4)  The  execution  of  the  work  necessary  to  make  navi- 
gation effective,  at  any  season  of  the  year,  for  steamers  draw- 
ing three  feet  of  water,  of  the  river  Negro  between  Santa 
Isabel  and  Cucuhy;  of  the  river  Branco  from  its  mouth  to 
the  fort  of  Sao  Joaquim ; of  the  river  Purus  from  Hyatananhan 
to  Senna  Medureira,  and  of  the  river  Acre  from  its  mouth  to 
Riosinho  de  Pedras. 


23 


The  Government  may  contract  for  the  execution  of  these 
works,  by  means  of,  or  without,  public  competition,  with  one 
or  more  sufficiently  capable  syndicates  under  the  dispositions 
of  Decree  No.  6,368  of  the  14th  February,  1907,  or  other, 
which  do  not  incur  more  expenses  and  which  the  Government 
may  think  fit  and  more  advantageous  in  each  case. 

Art.  7.  — For  the  purpose  provided  in  the  foregoing  arti- 
cle, all  boats  of  any  description  to  be  admitted  free  of  duties, 
and  the  revision  of  the  law  of  Cabotagem  (coast  and  river 
navigation  law)  for  the  purpose  of  simplifying  and  reducing 
the  burdens  of  this  law. 

Art.  8.  — • The  Government  will  concede  identical  exemp- 
tion, in  addition  to  other  indirect  favors  they  may  judge  neces- 
sary, to  those  who  will  establish  (against  public  competition) 
coal  deposits  at  an  appointed  place  in  the  Amazon  Valley  for 
the  purpose  of  supplying  ships  and  launches,  at  prices  ap- 
proved by  the  Government. 

Art.  9.  — The  Government  will  promote  and  help  in  the 
establishment  of  producing  centers,  of  alimentary  foods,  in 
the  Amazon  Valley  under  the  following  conditions,  or  others 
that  the  Government  may  deem  necessary : 

(1)  The  renting  of  two  of  the  national  farms  on  the 
Rio  Branco  (by  private  or  public  bid)  to  a competent  com- 
pany, who  will  agree  to  develop  and  practice  on  a large  scale 
the  breeding  of  cattle,  the  cultivation  of  cereals,  and  to  estab- 
lish a factory  for  the  making  of  dried  beef  (Jerked  Beef)  a 
packing  house,  dairies,  machines  for  the  cleaning  of  rice  and 
other  cereals,  and  factories  for  making  farina. 

(2)  Colonization,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Government, 
of  the  lands  still  owned  by  the  Union,  the  Sao  Marcos  farm, 
situated  between  the  rivers  Mahu,  Takuku,  Surumu,  and 
Cotingo,  with  national  families  of  agriculturists  and  breeders, 
having  in  view  the  development  of  the  production  of  ali- 
mentary foods  and  the  breeding  of  cattle. 

(3)  Concession  to  companies  who  will  establish  large 
farms  on  the  preceding  conditions,  one  in  the  Acre  territory 


24 


(between  the  Rio  Branco  and  Xapury),  one  in  the  State  of 
Amazonas  (in  the  region  of  the  river  Autaz),  and  one  in  the 
State  of  Para  (on  the  Island  of  Marajo,  or  other  more  con- 
venient point  in  the  Lower  Amazon),  of  the  following  favors: 

a)  Exemption  of  import  duties  of  all  material  necessary 
for  the  complete  equipment  of  the  farm,  including  buildings, 
corrals,  etc.,  machines  for  the  culture,  collection  and  treat- 
ment of  cereals,  and  installation  of  dairies,  and  preserved  beef 
factories,  as  well  as  cattle  and  seed  which  may  be  imported 
within  the  first  five  years  after  the  installation  of  the  farm. 

b)  Premiums  of  30  contos  per  group  of  1,000  hectares 
of  artificial  pasture,  planted  and  properly  enclosed,  and  of  100 
contos  per  group  of  1,000  hectares  prepared  for  cultivation 
and  actually  under  cultivation  with  rice,  beans,  maize  and 
mandioca  (farina). 

c)  Premiums  of  100  contos  per  group  of  500  tons  of 
dairy  products,  and  preserved  meat  of  dried  beef  that  may  be 
produced  within  five  years. 

(4)  Exemption  of  import  duties  on  vessels,  instruments, 
machines,  drugs,  and  ingredients  necessary  to  the  installation, 
during  fifteen  years,  of  a company  for  fishing,  salting  and  pre- 
serving fish,  which  may  establish  itself  in  the  rivers  of 
Amazonas,  and  the  concession  of  a premium  of  10  contos  dur- 
ing five  consecutive  years,  when  the  production  of  preserved 
and  salted  fish  is  maintained  annually  at  over  100  tons. 

Art.  10.  — The  Government  will  order  immediate  steps 
taken  to  have  the  lands  in  the  Acre  territory  properly  located 
and  surveyed,  so  that  titles  of  possession  may  be  issued. 

(1)  In  the  verification  of  these  titles,  as  much  as  pos- 
sible, they  ought  to  be  followed : 

a)  The  titles  given  by  the  Governments  of  the  State  of 
Amazonas,  of  Bolivia,  and  of  the  ex-independent  State  of 
Acre  before  the  treaty  of  Petropolis. 

h)  Those  titles  of  peaceful  possession  acquired  by  orig- 
inal occupation,  or  acquired  from  the  original  occupant,  which 


25 


land  is  found  to  be  in  effective  exploitation,  and  the  habitual 
home  of  the  possessor  or  a representative  of  his. 

(2)  The  maximum  area  of  each  parcel  of  land  will  be 
10  square  kilometers. 

(3)  The  Government  will  revise  the  dispositions  of  the 
law  No.  601  dated  18th  September,  1850,  and  Decree  No.  1318 
of  the  30th  of  January,  1854,  publishing  new  law  for  lands, 
with  the  modifications  of  the  present  decree  and  those  which 
more  suitably  fit  the  actual  conditions  of  the  Federal  ter- 
ritories. 

Art.  11.  — Every  three  years  the  Government  will  hold 
in  Rio  de  Janeiro  an  exposition  embracing  everything  relating 
to  the  rubber  industry  of  this  country,  on  which  occasion  com- 
petitive premiums  will  be  given  in  amounts  authorized  by  the 
laws  in  vigor  for  the  best  methods  of  cultivation  and  treat- 
ment, and  for  the  most  perfectly  manufactured  products. 

Art.  12.  — The  Executive  Power  is  authorized  to  enter 
into  an  agreement  with  the  States  of  Para,  Amazonas  and 
Mattogrosso  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  an  annual  reduc- 
tion of  10%  until  the  maximum  limit  of  50%  of  the  present 
duties  is  reached,  and  the  exemption  of  any  duties  whatever 
for  25  years  from  the  date  of  this  law,  on  Plantation  Para  rub- 
ber. Immediately  this  agreement  is  made,  the  Executive 
Power  will  issue  a decree  making  the  reduction  in  duties 
(which  the  above  States  make)  as  to  the  Acre  territory  and 
conceding  equal  exemption  on  Plantation  Para  rubber  from 
the  Acre. 

Art.  13.  — The  Government  is  further  authorized  to 
enter  into  an  agreement  with  the  above  named  States  as  re- 
gards Acre  rubber  to  cover  the  measures  of  protection  and 
defense  which  those  named  States  adopt  in  regard  to  their 
rubber,  or  to  agree  on  others  which  may  be  deemed  more  con- 
venient, the  Government  for  this  purpose  being  empowered  to 
issue  the  necessary  decrees. 

Art.  14.  — Eor  the  entire  execution  of  this  law  and  the 
realization  of  the  decreed  measures,  the  Executive  Power  will 


26 


issue,  promptly,  the  necessary  ordinances,  opening  each  year 
the  credits  that  may  be  necessary,  account  being  given  in  the 
following  year  of  the  sums  expended,  the  work  done,  and  the 
results  obtained,  etc. 

Art.  15.  — All  dispositions  to  the  contrary  are  revoked. 

Rio  de  Janeiro,  the  5tli  of  January,  1912, 
ninety-first  year  of  the  Independence, 
and  24th  year  of  the  Republic. 

Signed : 

Hermes  R.  da  Fonseca, 

Pedro  de  Toledo. 


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